DO I HAVE TO?
by M. Harmon
This project was designed to explore the various characters and stories in Genesis. We were told to intertwine the stories of two characters in a dialogue that did not actually occur in Genesis. We began by choosing our two characters and analyzing them both from Genesis itself and from paintings we found. We preceded to crafting a dialogue between the characters and later recording it with a partner. Once again we analyzed the character's traits, but this time using evidence and quotation from our own dialogue. Lastly we reflected upon the process in full.
SCRIPT
DO I HAVE TO? (sound of birds and nature, in addition to calm music of narration)
Narrator: In the beginning, there was nothing. And then God came, and created the earth and the sun and all the things of the earth, sea and planets, and he saw that it was good. And he saw that he was good.
(music stops)
God: Oh yeah, I'm Good!
(music returns)
Narrator: And then God created creatures of the earth and of the sea, and lastly, he created man. He knew he made a mistake but he was frankly too lazy to do anything about it, plus, God was lonely and he needed some entertainment. From man came women and from women came more man and more women and so was the nature of things and we are all tied to together in the great circle of life. Sorry. So the earth was populated, until one day in the land of Beer-Sheba no wait Canaan, actually I think it was Paddam-arran, yeah that was it. Anyway in "this" land, there was a man named Jacob who had been chosen by God, he lived a happy life, he loved and had a women in fact, but not all was his. You see, Jacob came walking up to God one day, he said, "-----
(music stops)
Jacob: God.....
God: Here I am Jacob, what is it that troubles you?
Jacob: Well to tell you the truth... I, well, don't think I’m not grateful, simply, I’m just simply, well...
God: Spit it out Jacob, I don't get paid by the hour you know.
Jacob: God I’m simply not comfortable with---
God: Oh, oh, I should have known, I meant to tell you I was going to put laxative in your soup broth last night, it was to punish one of your servants who kept stealing your food.
Jacob: That, that was you? Well although that was extremely traumatizing, I suppose I can understand why you did that… We don't have any servants.
God: Pretty sure you do.
Jacob: No, we don’t. Levi got it worst. Did you get confused?
God: Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. I’m God, I don’t get confused. I merely perceived it as an occurrence of which to promote change of peculiarities of the situation in which I deemed to be necessary for the general wellbeing of ----
Jacob: Yeah whatever God, sorry. Anyway the fact that you confused my son with a slave is basically why I’ve come to talk with you. Well you see…….. I’m sick of sex.
God: Wait, I’m confused. I must have heard you wrong. Come again?
(crickets)
Jacob: I’m tired of all this sex.
(crickets)(long pause)
God: One more time.
Jacob: God, I only love Rachel, why do I have to have sex with all these other women?
God: Now I’ve been around for a while and I’ve never heard that. Go home, you're simply not feeling well.
Jacob: (Dejectedly) Yeah, sorry, it’s really not a big deal.
(music starts)
Narrator: And so Jacob returned to his family and was content until one extremely troubling occurrence involving his love Rachel’s unfortunate looking sister Leah. Poor Jacob was told Leah had hired him for mandrakes. Poor, poor Jacob. God noticed Jacob’s unhappiness and came to see what had befallen him.
(music stops)
God: Jacob, I can always tell when you’re upset. What troubles you my lad.
Jacob: I’m sorry God. I simply can’t go on like this. Every single night. It’s exhausting.
God: Jacob, tending to the flock cannot be that bad, I practically make it so they shear themselves. They’re truly my lowest maintenance breed ever.
Jacob: That’s not what I meant.
God: Oh no, no, no, no. What in my name is wrong with you? I thought we’d moved past that.
Jacob: I---
God: Look man, I got your back. I’ve gotten you like four women. I don’t want to hear a word out of you. I’ve been helping you. Don’t make me get creative on a new way to destroy the earth.
Jacob: Look God please don’t do that. I was just wondering if there was anyway for this to stop. It’s like Cheaper By The Dozen over at my place. It’s too much sex for me. I’m never doing it AGAIN!
God: Jacob, you must realize your place, who are you to defy not only me but the very nature of man. Who was by the way created in my own image.
Jacob: You mustn't only think of things from your point of view. What about me God, what about me. Why can't you just accept who I am.
God: If you haven't noticed already Jacob, I'm not the most accepting guy you'll ever meet. I've always had problems with taking direction, that's why I created you guys down there if you truly want to know.
Jacob: I'm done God, I'm done.
God: Don't make me give the covenant to Esau.
Jacob: (resignedly to himself) Damn it, he gets me with that every time.
God: Look Jacob, I’m God, it’s part of the name, you have to do what I say. Because I am God and God sayeth…
Jacob: I’m leaving.
God: Look I don’t know insane biblical alcohol you’ve been drinking but none of what your saying is making any sense. Go home. Have sex. Think it over. Have more sex and come back and talk with me again.
Narrator: And so Jacob went away sadly, having once again been told his problems were meaningless. God simply did not see his side of things and poor Jacob could do nothing about it. Until something occurred to him.
(lightbulb over head sound)
Jacob: (having returned with an air of excited confusion) Just one more question God. How come Isaac never had this problem? I can’t be the only one.
God: No, Isaac never complained to me. Although, he had you much earlier on in the process.
Jacob: What do you mean?
God: Just that my blessing passed to you far earlier for Isaac then it has for you. You still need to have to have one more son who’s name will be Joseph before my blessing passes on.
Jacob: And you’re telling me that once your blessing passes on you will leave me alo--- I mean take first priority with Joseph.
God: But of course.
(music starts) Narrator: And so by the will of God, Jacob was forced to undergo his task again. So Jacob went home and furiously made love to Rachel. Low and behold little baby Joseph entered the world. Grudgingly he had completed his duty, like Abraham and Isaac before him, until he could finally get God out of his life. PROJECT OUTLINE
PROJECT SUPPORTS
Due to God’s commanding personality, those below him view him as insensitive. In the painting by Gustave Doré entitled, something along the lines of, “Jacob Wrestling With The Angel”, shows God in angelic form in power, pushing Jacob down as he wrestles. God’s lower body appears set in a power stance, knees bent with utter balance and control. The use of God’s power stance created by Mr. Doré illustrated God’s commanding nature and his wish to impose his will on others. This idea of God’s command prevails throughout Genesis shown when God divides the human race at the Tower of Babel. He also decides to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah without discussion with the inhabitants. This commanding nature creates God’s appearance as an insensitive figure. The redactors explain Rachel’s plight as women incapable of conceiving children in contrast with her sister Leah: “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren” (Gen.29.31). The word “barren”, meaning void of health and fruitfulness, two extremely positive traits, shows God’s indifference and insensitivity by actively choosing not to make her well. This action exemplifies God’s insensitivities throughout Genesis because he showed no compassion for Rachel, promoting the idea that God’s omniscient allows him to perform seemingly horrible actions that are, in fact for the good. God’s knowledge of the greater good runs strongly throughout Genesis shown for example by God’s actions in creating famine, flood and other disasters that eventually cause characters to gain strength.
Although Jacob begins with a deeply impressionable personality, he learns to question authority. Jacob finds himself at a loss for personal strength when the women of his life, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah, pass him around amongst each other when he clearly only exhibits feelings of love for Rachel. On one occasion Leah says to Jacob, ‘”You must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes’” (Gen.30.16). The word “must”, employed by the redactors demonstrates the use of a modal auxiliary to show necessity and thus creates the mood that requires Jacob to partake in his task, regardless of his personal feelings. This in turn helps to promote Jacob’s character as a highly impressionable individual who has no backbone with which to stand up for himself. This represents Jacob’s early self and eventually he transitions into an individual who questions illustrating the theme of identity and maturation in Genesis.
In the painting by Gustave Doré, he depicts Jacob wrestling God. The specific use of Jacob’s arms thrusting upward, call to mind fighting against oppression and authority which relates to Jacob’s situation in questioning God’s choices. This theme in Genesis of questioning God appears with Abraham attempting to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from God’s wrathful fist showing the perceived fallibility of God.
PROTAGONIST ANALYSIS
Jacob, the protagonist of Do I Have To?, maintains two main traits of a questioning and impressionable personality throughout the dialogue. After God recounts his act of drugging one of Jacob’s servants, Jacob argues that in fact he doesn’t have any servants and questions God’s judgment: “’ No, we don’t. . . Did you get confused?’” (Harmon 2). Jacob’s direct inquiring of God, the higher entity, clearly illustrates his questioning personality by giving an example even when he is talking to an omnipotent being. Other examples appear when Jacob continually assaults God with questions about ideas God has already addressed. Paradoxically, Jacob also appears deeply impressionable in this story. After once again asking God about his unappealing sex life, God tells Jacob his problem has no meaning and instead of arguing Jacob says, “’ Yeah, sorry, it’s really not a big deal”’ (Harmon 3). Harmon employs the phrase “big deal” in order to set a clear value on the topic Jacob wants to discuss, validating Jacob’s true interest in it. When Jacob doesn’t act on his desire to discuss further, this occurrence shows Jacob to be a person who takes direction and is molded by others. This happening of Jacob neglecting his interests in favor of another’s appears several other times in Do I Have To?.
ARTIST INFORMATION Paul Gustave Doré was born in January of 1883. His birthplace was Strousberg, where he spent his childhood. His career began illustrating books but later his style changed. A french artist, he worked primarily in sculpting, engraving and illustrating. He created many illustrations of biblical images. His gallery includes many different works of art though all in this similar style of realism.
REFLECTION
This entire process as a whole was an extremely enjoyable way of incorporating further study of Genesis into a fun, interactive assignment. The greatest strength of this assignment was its ability to teach many different tools such as: critical analysis of characters, further understanding of Genesis and the art of both writing and reading a script. One weakness included the unclear deadlines that caused some people to have to cram a lot of work into a short period of time. If would have been helpful if we had discussed in class the specific things necessary on our finished page. This was my main obstacle as I was unsure exactly what I needed to include on my site. I learned that in certain situations I work better with clear instructions and sometimes struggle without them. WORKS CITED Gustave Doré Image from: Bible Study for Ordination. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.ordination.org/>.
Gustave Doré information from:
"Paul Gustave Dore Illustrations." Dore Illustrations N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.doreillustrations.com/>.
DO I HAVE TO?
by M. Harmon
This project was designed to explore the various characters and stories in Genesis. We were told to intertwine the stories of two characters in a dialogue that did not actually occur in Genesis. We began by choosing our two characters and analyzing them both from Genesis itself and from paintings we found. We preceded to crafting a dialogue between the characters and later recording it with a partner. Once again we analyzed the character's traits, but this time using evidence and quotation from our own dialogue. Lastly we reflected upon the process in full.
SCRIPT
DO I HAVE TO?
(sound of birds and nature, in addition to calm music of narration)
Narrator: In the beginning, there was nothing. And then God came, and created the earth and the sun and all the things of the earth, sea and planets, and he saw that it was good. And he saw that he was good.
(music stops)
God: Oh yeah, I'm Good!
(music returns)
Narrator: And then God created creatures of the earth and of the sea, and lastly, he created man. He knew he made a mistake but he was frankly too lazy to do anything about it, plus, God was lonely and he needed some entertainment. From man came women and from women came more man and more women and so was the nature of things and we are all tied to together in the great circle of life. Sorry. So the earth was populated, until one day in the land of Beer-Sheba no wait Canaan, actually I think it was Paddam-arran, yeah that was it. Anyway in "this" land, there was a man named Jacob who had been chosen by God, he lived a happy life, he loved and had a women in fact, but not all was his. You see, Jacob came walking up to God one day, he said, "-----
(music stops)
Jacob: God.....
God: Here I am Jacob, what is it that troubles you?
Jacob: Well to tell you the truth... I, well, don't think I’m not grateful, simply, I’m just simply, well...
God: Spit it out Jacob, I don't get paid by the hour you know.
Jacob: God I’m simply not comfortable with---
God: Oh, oh, I should have known, I meant to tell you I was going to put laxative in your soup broth last night, it was to punish one of your servants who kept stealing your food.
Jacob: That, that was you? Well although that was extremely traumatizing, I suppose I can understand why you did that… We don't have any servants.
God: Pretty sure you do.
Jacob: No, we don’t. Levi got it worst. Did you get confused?
God: Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. I’m God, I don’t get confused. I merely perceived it as an occurrence of which to promote change of peculiarities of the situation in which I deemed to be necessary for the general wellbeing of ----
Jacob: Yeah whatever God, sorry. Anyway the fact that you confused my son with a slave is basically why I’ve come to talk with you. Well you see…….. I’m sick of sex.
God: Wait, I’m confused. I must have heard you wrong. Come again?
(crickets)
Jacob: I’m tired of all this sex.
(crickets)(long pause)
God: One more time.
Jacob: God, I only love Rachel, why do I have to have sex with all these other women?
God: Now I’ve been around for a while and I’ve never heard that. Go home, you're simply not feeling well.
Jacob: (Dejectedly) Yeah, sorry, it’s really not a big deal.
(music starts)
Narrator: And so Jacob returned to his family and was content until one extremely troubling occurrence involving his love Rachel’s unfortunate looking sister Leah. Poor Jacob was told Leah had hired him for mandrakes. Poor, poor Jacob. God noticed Jacob’s unhappiness and came to see what had befallen him.
(music stops)
God: Jacob, I can always tell when you’re upset. What troubles you my lad.
Jacob: I’m sorry God. I simply can’t go on like this. Every single night. It’s exhausting.
God: Jacob, tending to the flock cannot be that bad, I practically make it so they shear themselves. They’re truly my lowest maintenance breed ever.
Jacob: That’s not what I meant.
God: Oh no, no, no, no. What in my name is wrong with you? I thought we’d moved past that.
Jacob: I---
God: Look man, I got your back. I’ve gotten you like four women. I don’t want to hear a word out of you. I’ve been helping you. Don’t make me get creative on a new way to destroy the earth.
Jacob: Look God please don’t do that. I was just wondering if there was anyway for this to stop. It’s like Cheaper By The Dozen over at my place. It’s too much sex for me. I’m never doing it AGAIN!
God: Jacob, you must realize your place, who are you to defy not only me but the very nature of man. Who was by the way created in my own image.
Jacob: You mustn't only think of things from your point of view. What about me God, what about me. Why can't you just accept who I am.
God: If you haven't noticed already Jacob, I'm not the most accepting guy you'll ever meet. I've always had problems with taking direction, that's why I created you guys down there if you truly want to know.
Jacob: I'm done God, I'm done.
God: Don't make me give the covenant to Esau.
Jacob: (resignedly to himself) Damn it, he gets me with that every time.
God: Look Jacob, I’m God, it’s part of the name, you have to do what I say. Because I am God and God sayeth…
Jacob: I’m leaving.
God: Look I don’t know insane biblical alcohol you’ve been drinking but none of what your saying is making any sense. Go home. Have sex. Think it over. Have more sex and come back and talk with me again.
Narrator: And so Jacob went away sadly, having once again been told his problems were meaningless. God simply did not see his side of things and poor Jacob could do nothing about it. Until something occurred to him.
(lightbulb over head sound)
Jacob: (having returned with an air of excited confusion) Just one more question God. How come Isaac never had this problem? I can’t be the only one.
God: No, Isaac never complained to me. Although, he had you much earlier on in the process.
Jacob: What do you mean?
God: Just that my blessing passed to you far earlier for Isaac then it has for you. You still need to have to have one more son who’s name will be Joseph before my blessing passes on.
Jacob: And you’re telling me that once your blessing passes on you will leave me alo--- I mean take first priority with Joseph.
God: But of course.
(music starts)
Narrator: And so by the will of God, Jacob was forced to undergo his task again. So Jacob went home and furiously made love to Rachel. Low and behold little baby Joseph entered the world. Grudgingly he had completed his duty, like Abraham and Isaac before him, until he could finally get God out of his life.
PROJECT OUTLINE
PROJECT SUPPORTS
Due to God’s commanding personality, those below him view him as insensitive. In the painting by Gustave Doré entitled, something along the lines of, “Jacob Wrestling With The Angel”, shows God in angelic form in power, pushing Jacob down as he wrestles. God’s lower body appears set in a power stance, knees bent with utter balance and control. The use of God’s power stance created by Mr. Doré illustrated God’s commanding nature and his wish to impose his will on others. This idea of God’s command prevails throughout Genesis shown when God divides the human race at the Tower of Babel. He also decides to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah without discussion with the inhabitants. This commanding nature creates God’s appearance as an insensitive figure. The redactors explain Rachel’s plight as women incapable of conceiving children in contrast with her sister Leah: “When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren” (Gen.29.31). The word “barren”, meaning void of health and fruitfulness, two extremely positive traits, shows God’s indifference and insensitivity by actively choosing not to make her well. This action exemplifies God’s insensitivities throughout Genesis because he showed no compassion for Rachel, promoting the idea that God’s omniscient allows him to perform seemingly horrible actions that are, in fact for the good. God’s knowledge of the greater good runs strongly throughout Genesis shown for example by God’s actions in creating famine, flood and other disasters that eventually cause characters to gain strength.
Although Jacob begins with a deeply impressionable personality, he learns to question authority. Jacob finds himself at a loss for personal strength when the women of his life, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah, pass him around amongst each other when he clearly only exhibits feelings of love for Rachel. On one occasion Leah says to Jacob, ‘”You must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes’” (Gen.30.16). The word “must”, employed by the redactors demonstrates the use of a modal auxiliary to show necessity and thus creates the mood that requires Jacob to partake in his task, regardless of his personal feelings. This in turn helps to promote Jacob’s character as a highly impressionable individual who has no backbone with which to stand up for himself. This represents Jacob’s early self and eventually he transitions into an individual who questions illustrating the theme of identity and maturation in Genesis.
In the painting by Gustave Doré, he depicts Jacob wrestling God. The specific use of Jacob’s arms thrusting upward, call to mind fighting against oppression and authority which relates to Jacob’s situation in questioning God’s choices. This theme in Genesis of questioning God appears with Abraham attempting to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from God’s wrathful fist showing the perceived fallibility of God.
PROTAGONIST ANALYSIS
Jacob, the protagonist of Do I Have To?, maintains two main traits of a questioning and impressionable personality throughout the dialogue. After God recounts his act of drugging one of Jacob’s servants, Jacob argues that in fact he doesn’t have any servants and questions God’s judgment: “’ No, we don’t. . . Did you get confused?’” (Harmon 2). Jacob’s direct inquiring of God, the higher entity, clearly illustrates his questioning personality by giving an example even when he is talking to an omnipotent being. Other examples appear when Jacob continually assaults God with questions about ideas God has already addressed. Paradoxically, Jacob also appears deeply impressionable in this story. After once again asking God about his unappealing sex life, God tells Jacob his problem has no meaning and instead of arguing Jacob says, “’ Yeah, sorry, it’s really not a big deal”’ (Harmon 3). Harmon employs the phrase “big deal” in order to set a clear value on the topic Jacob wants to discuss, validating Jacob’s true interest in it. When Jacob doesn’t act on his desire to discuss further, this occurrence shows Jacob to be a person who takes direction and is molded by others. This happening of Jacob neglecting his interests in favor of another’s appears several other times in Do I Have To?.
ARTIST INFORMATION
Paul Gustave Doré was born in January of 1883. His birthplace was Strousberg, where he spent his childhood. His career began illustrating books but later his style changed. A french artist, he worked primarily in sculpting, engraving and illustrating. He created many illustrations of biblical images. His gallery includes many different works of art though all in this similar style of realism.
REFLECTION
This entire process as a whole was an extremely enjoyable way of incorporating further study of Genesis into a fun, interactive assignment. The greatest strength of this assignment was its ability to teach many different tools such as: critical analysis of characters, further understanding of Genesis and the art of both writing and reading a script. One weakness included the unclear deadlines that caused some people to have to cram a lot of work into a short period of time. If would have been helpful if we had discussed in class the specific things necessary on our finished page. This was my main obstacle as I was unsure exactly what I needed to include on my site. I learned that in certain situations I work better with clear instructions and sometimes struggle without them.
WORKS CITED
Gustave Doré Image from:
Bible Study for Ordination. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.ordination.org/>.
Gustave Doré information from:
"Paul Gustave Dore Illustrations." Dore Illustrations N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2010. <http://www.doreillustrations.com/>.